This upcoming weekend, on March 25th, Fannie Mae announced that it will be implementing Collateral Underwriter® (CU™) Version 4.1, which will include updates to Property Value Representations and Warranties as well as enhancements to the CU user interface.

In their first Selling Guide update of 2017, Fannie Mae provided some important appraiser-related changes/clarifications. In particular, the GSE’s recent updates touch upon comparables in new projects or subdivisions, property inspections by appraiser trainees, and adjustments to an appraisal for sales concessions.

The International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC)—the global standard setter for valuation practice and the valuation profession—recently announced that it has launched “IVS 2017”, marking what the Council called an important milestone towards harmonizing valuation practices across the world.

Over the next few weeks, several Global DMS representatives will be attending three industry conferences, and are looking forward to both networking with new contacts as well as catching up with old acquaintances.

The Appraisal Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, has released the 6th edition of the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions – commonly known as the “Yellow Book.”

U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NB), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) have reintroduced a piece legislation that would alter the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The bill—known as the “Consumer Financial Protection Board Act”—would also enhance the Bureau’s accountability to “help ensure Americans have access to economic opportunities.”